Changing Your Baby's Diaper

You'll have to use diapers for at least two and a half years, until your baby gains full bladder and bowel control, so it's worth familiarizing your self with the most efficient way to change your baby. Give some thought, too, to which type of diaper best suits your circumstances there's certainly plenty of choice now a days.

Which Diapers to Use

There's a wide variety of disposable diapers available, and you may be bewildered by the choice. If you want to use reusable diapers, there are several more modern alternatives to the traditional terry cloth square that requires safety pins. All types have their advantages and disadvantages. Unless you use a diaper laundry service, reusable diapers are a lot more trouble because they have to be washed and dried, while disposable diapers are more expensive, even taking in to account the hidden costs of washing and drying reusable's. There's been discussion about the adverse impact on the environment of disposable diapers both in their manufacture and disposal, reusable diapers are undoubtedly more ecologically sound in the long run.

Fabric Diapers

Traditional terry cloth squares are bulky, and can be uncomfortable for your baby when she's mobile. :Modern reusable's are usually shaped, and many types have strong velcro fastenings, or you could use painless fasteners, so you don't have to worry about using safety pins. If you're using these, it's a good idea to also use disposable or reusable liners to avoid heavy soiling with feces.

Diapers For Boys Or Girls

The most important consideration when choosing diapers is to make sure they accommodate your baby boy and are comfortable for your baby girl. Some manufacturers of disposables have taken the difference between the sexes in to account: boys tend to wet the front of diapers, so boys' disposables have extra padding in the front. Girls tend to wet the back of diapers more, and this is also accounted for in the design of girls disposables.

Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is preventable if you always change your baby's diaper promptly, particularly after she's had a bowel movement; bacteria in feces breaks down the urine to release ammonia, which can irritate and ulcerate the skin. Always keep your baby's skin clean and well aired. Use barrier cream only as a preventive measure. If your baby does become sore, leave her diaper off when ever possible and let her kick on her changing mat. Apply diaper cream at every change. Check with your doctor if the rash persists for more than two to three days.

Cleaning Your Baby

Your will need cleaning and changing when ever her diaper is soiled or wet. The number of changes will vary from baby to baby.

Cleaning girls

Always clean your baby's vulva and anus from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria from the anus to your baby's vagina. Don't clean in side the labia, just rinse away feces gently with damp cotton balls.

Cleaning boys

Cover a boy's penis with a tissue as you take off his diaper in case he passes urine. Clean around the penis and scrotum with damp cotton balls. Don't try to pull back the fore skin this remains fixed until your son is much older.

Changing Your Baby's Diaper

Always change your baby on a firm, flat surface, covered with a changing mat or towel. Protect your back by using a changing table of the correct height, or kneel be side the bed. Never leave your baby alone on the changing mat if it's on a surface above floor level. Even a new born baby can wriggle off a mat, particularly if he's up set or angry. Collect together all the equipment you need before you start. Dispose of feces in the toilet if possible, but don't flush disposable diapers or diaper liners down the toilet. Dispose of them in diaper sacks, preferably placing them in a covered diaper pail or lidded can.